CVE-2008-4301 in iis
Summary
by MITRE
** DISPUTED ** A certain ActiveX control in iisext.dll in Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) allows remote attackers to set a password via a string argument to the SetPassword method. NOTE: this issue could not be reproduced by a reliable third party. In addition, the original researcher is unreliable. Therefore the original disclosure is probably erroneous.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/07/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-4301 pertains to an ActiveX control embedded within the iisext.dll component of Microsoft Internet Information Services version 7.0. This particular ActiveX control exposes a method named SetPassword which accepts a string argument that can be manipulated by remote attackers. The disputed nature of this vulnerability stems from the inability of third-party researchers to reproduce the issue consistently, raising questions about the validity of the original disclosure. The vulnerability classification suggests a potential privilege escalation or authentication bypass scenario where an attacker could potentially manipulate password settings through the exposed interface. This represents a significant concern for web server security since ActiveX controls are typically executed in the context of the user's web browser, potentially allowing for arbitrary code execution or credential manipulation.
The technical flaw lies in the improper input validation and sanitization within the SetPassword method of the iisext.dll ActiveX control. When a string argument is passed to this method, the control appears to accept it without adequate verification or restriction, potentially allowing malicious input to be processed as a legitimate password setting operation. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation, which is commonly categorized as CWE-20 in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The flaw represents a classic example of how untrusted input can be exploited to manipulate system functions, particularly those related to user authentication and account management.
From an operational perspective, if this vulnerability were exploitable, it would present a serious security risk to organizations running vulnerable versions of IIS 7.0. The potential impact includes unauthorized password changes, privilege escalation, and possible complete system compromise. Attackers could potentially leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to web server resources, manipulate user accounts, or establish persistent access through compromised authentication mechanisms. The remote attack vector means that exploitation could occur from any location without requiring physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web servers. This vulnerability would align with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and T1548.002 which covers abuse of cloud accounts, though the specific implementation would depend on how the ActiveX control is exposed and utilized.
The disputed status of this CVE highlights important considerations in vulnerability research and disclosure practices. The inability of third parties to reproduce the issue suggests either that the vulnerability was incorrectly identified, that specific environmental conditions were required for exploitation, or that the original researcher's methodology was flawed. This situation underscores the importance of reproducible research in cybersecurity and the need for multiple independent verification of reported vulnerabilities. Organizations should exercise caution when relying on disputed CVEs and should focus on comprehensive security assessments rather than solely on individual vulnerability entries. The original researcher's unreliability further complicates the assessment, indicating potential issues with the credibility of the vulnerability report itself.
Microsoft's response to this particular vulnerability would likely have been minimal given the disputed nature of the report, though the company would have maintained vigilance regarding ActiveX controls and their potential security implications in IIS environments. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of proper input validation in all components, particularly those exposed through web interfaces or browser-based controls. Organizations should implement comprehensive security controls including proper access restrictions, input validation, and regular security assessments to protect against similar vulnerabilities. The incident also demonstrates the critical need for maintaining updated security practices and the importance of understanding the context and verification status of security advisories before implementing remediation measures.